Dr. Richard Daneman's lab investigates how blood vessels in the brain function, specifically in the context of Alzheimer's disease. They focus on a protein called SOX18, which appears to play a crucial role in maintaining the health of these blood vessels and preventing problems that may contribute to Alzheimer's. By studying both mouse models and human cell systems, the lab aims to understand the mechanisms behind blood vessel dysfunction in Alzheimer's and explore potential therapies targeting SOX18.

Dr. Jorge Silvio Gutkind's lab at UC San Diego focuses on improving treatments for head and neck cancer, a disease that currently has low survival rates and limited responses to conventional therapies. The lab is investigating how disruptions in certain cellular signaling pathways contribute to cancer progression and immune evasion. They are also exploring innovative approaches using chemokines to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies, aiming to make treatments more successful for patients.

Dr. Vivian Y. H. Hook's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding the complex neuropeptide systems in the human brain, particularly how they are altered in Alzheimer’s disease. The research aims to identify specific neuropeptides and the enzymes that produce them, which can help explain synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s. Insights from this work could lead to new biomarkers for Alzheimer's and potential therapeutic targets for treatment.

Dr. Michael K. Gilson's lab at UC San Diego focuses on innovative drug design through advanced computational methods. The team aims to deepen our understanding of how proteins interact with small molecules, which is crucial for developing new drugs. By mapping thermodynamic properties of proteins and their surroundings, they seek to reveal insights that can improve ligand design and identify potential new drug targets.

Dr. Geoffrey A. Chang's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how nutrients and other important molecules are exchanged between mothers and their infants through transporters in various tissues. They are creating a detailed map called the Mother-infant Metabolite-transporter Atlas (MiMA) to identify which transporters handle specific molecules, and how these interactions affect health and development. This research aims to improve our knowledge of maternal and infant health, potentially leading to advances in nutrition and medical care.

Dr. Andrew S. Mendiola's lab focuses on understanding how microglia, the immune cells of the brain, contribute to inflammation and damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). The lab investigates the molecular processes that trigger harmful microglial behavior, particularly in relation to the blood-brain barrier and oxidative stress. They aim to discover new therapeutic targets that can help manage MS and prevent further neurodegeneration.

Dr. Pieter C. Dorrestein's lab focuses on how the microorganisms in our gut interact with diet and the human body to influence health and disease. They are working on building a comprehensive database of microbial metabolites, which are small molecules produced by these microbes, to understand their role in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. The lab combines advanced techniques in metabolomics and data science to discover and characterize these metabolites, aiming to advance nutritional precision medicine.

Dr. Conor Caffrey's lab at UC San Diego focuses on developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, specifically tauopathies like Alzheimer's disease. The lab investigates microtubule-stabilizing compounds to enhance brain health and prevent cognitive decline. Their research includes testing a new compound, CNDR-51997, which has shown promise in improving neuronal function and stability in preclinical models.

Dr. Alexandra C. Newton's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how mutations in a specific enzyme, protein kinase C gamma (PKCg), cause neurodegenerative diseases like Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 14. The research combines various techniques to explore the structural and molecular changes in PKCg that lead to disease. Additionally, her team studies the role of PKC in cancer, aiming to develop therapies that can restore normal signaling in cells when it’s disrupted.

Dr. Susan S. Taylor's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how protein kinase A (PKA) signaling works at a molecular level and how it is linked to various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative conditions. The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology to explore how different PKA isoforms function and localize within neurons. Through advanced imaging techniques and structural biology, they aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of PKA regulation and its implications in health and disease.

Dr. Roeben Munji's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how blood-brain barrier functions impact the health of the central nervous system (CNS). They specifically investigate how the metabolism of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin by endothelial cells can influence behavior and neuronal function. Through their research, they aim to uncover novel genes involved in these processes, which may lead to new insights for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Robert H Tukey's lab at UC San Diego explores how exposure to environmental toxins, particularly triclosan, during early life can influence liver health in children and adults. The lab's studies focus on understanding how these exposures could lead to metabolic diseases and other health issues like severe jaundice in newborns. By using mouse models, they aim to uncover the mechanisms that connect early toxicant exposure to long-term health outcomes, particularly in relation to liver disease and gut health.

Dr. Joann Trejo's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal within cells and contribute to various diseases, including vascular inflammation and cancer. The lab explores innovative mechanisms that regulate GPCRs and their signaling pathways, particularly in the context of endothelial dysfunction. This research aims to improve therapeutic options for diseases related to endothelial injury by targeting specific GPCR signaling mechanisms.

Dr. Jin Zhang's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding the complex signaling pathways in cells, particularly how they regulate crucial processes like growth and metabolism. The research explores the mechanisms behind cancer cell behavior and the role of specific proteins, such as cyclic AMP and protein kinases, in controlling these processes. By developing innovative imaging technologies and biosensors, the lab aims to uncover how disruptions in these signaling pathways contribute to diseases like cancer and diabetes, with the goal of sparking new therapeutic approaches.